16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of halophilic and halotolerant bacteria isolated from a hypersaline pond in Sichuan, China

One hundred and twenty bacterial isolates were obtained from a hypersaline pond (c. 22% salinity) in Sichuan, China. Bacteria were isolated from hypersaline water, sediment and soil samples using three culture media and an incubation temperature of 37°C. Of these isolates, 47 were selected and examined by phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and by tests of salt tolerance. The phylogenetic analysis placed the 47 bacterial isolates either in the phylum Firmicutes or in the class Gammaproteobacteria and showed that they were affiliated with the genera Salimicrobium , Halalkalibacillus , Virgibacillus , Alkalibacillus, Marinococcus , Halobacillus, Halomonas , Idiomarina , Chromohalobacter and Halovibrio . All tested isolates were either halophilic or halotolerant and several were capable of growth in the presence of 30% (w/v) NaCl.